Majority World - Jan Sahas

The Challenge
More than 1.2 million people in India are engaged in 'manual scavenging' work – manual cleaning of human waste from dry latrines – daily. Virtually all are from historically excluded groups , the 'untouchable' caste. The women who engage in manual scavenging often face discrimination and marginalisation in their communities. They are denied access to water, sanitation and other basic services, and their children are even segregated from peers in school. Such patterns of exclusion, especially in relation to WASH, are among the most significant contributors to child malnutrition in these communities – which accounts for more than half of all under-five deaths in Madhya Pradesh alone.

The Response
Jan Sahas Social Development Society works in more than 4,000 villages in Madhya Pradesh, providing livelihoods support, education, nutrition, WASH and rights promotion activities to manual scavengers and other members of excluded communities. Jan Sahas has taken the lead in the national Campaign for Dignity, with the aim to end manual scavenging in India. Jan Sahas promotes better child health through hygiene education, water treatment and screening and care of severely malnourished children. Jan Sahas is directly changing the lives of more than 120,000 children each year. Through the national Campaign for Dignity, more than 14,000 manual scavengers have been liberated from the practice, with many women and children also receiving education about their rights. The campaign has also brought about policy change in the state and influenced the national Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

Meeting with the children of Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council or Childrens' Parliament) which discuss many things including WASH practices and eradication of malnutrition as well as village improvements.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Banners and posters prepared for the Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council or Childrens' Parliament) which discuss many issues including WASH practices and eradication of malnutrition as well as village improvements.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with the children of Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council or Childrens' Parliament) which discuss many things including WASH practices and eradication of malnutrition as well as village improvements.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Songs with social message sung at the meeting of Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council or Childrens' Parliament) which discuss many things including WASH practices and eradication of malnutrition as well as village improvements.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Posters being prepared as part of the meeting with the children of Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council or Childrens' Parliament) which discuss many things including WASH practices and eradication of malnutrition as well as village improvements.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with the children of Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council or Childrens' Parliament) at Sonkatch which discuss many things including WASH practices and eradication of malnutrition as well as village improvements.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village enjoying their mid-day meal. The meals were cooked and served by liberated manual scavenger ladies.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with the children of Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council or Childrens' Parliament) at Sonkatch which discuss many things including WASH practices and eradication of malnutrition as well as village improvements.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village enjoying their mid-day meal. The meals were cooked and served by liberated manual scavenger ladies.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Liberated manual scavenger lady serving food at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village. Earlier due to segregation they would not be allowed to even come near let alone touch food being eaten by all communities or manage the children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village enjoying their mid-day meal. The meals were cooked and served by liberated manual scavenger ladies.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Liberated manual scavenger lady serving food at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village. Earlier due to segregation they would not be allowed to even come near let alone touch food being eaten by all communities or manage the children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Kiranji Bai, a liberated manual scavenger lady serving food at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village. Earlier due to segregation they would not be allowed to even come near let alone touch food being eaten by all communities.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Liberated manual scavenger lady with the children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village. Earlier due to segregation they would not be allowed to even come near let alone touch food being eaten by all communities or manage the children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village enjoying their mid-day meal. The meals were cooked and served by liberated manual scavenger ladies.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village enjoying their mid-day meal. The meals were cooked and served by liberated manual scavenger ladies.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village enjoying their mid-day meal. The meals were cooked and served by liberated manual scavenger ladies.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Children at the Anganwadi/ICDS children center at Bhorasa village enjoying their mid-day meal. The meals were cooked and served by liberated manual scavenger ladies.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Liberated manual scavenger lady at Bhorasa village demonstrates how the new flush water toilets built by the community with Government funding by Jan Sahas' intervention has changed their lives.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with children and liberated manual scavenger women at the ICDS children center at Bhorasa village. Saventi Bai and Kiranji Bai spoke about the difficulties they faced prior to being liberated by Jan Sahas.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with children and liberated manual scavenger women at the ICDS children center at Bhorasa village.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with children and liberated manual scavenger women at the ICDS children center at Bhorasa village.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with children and liberated manual scavenger women at the ICDS children center at Bhorasa village.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Young children of liberated manual scavenger women who are members of Bal Panchayat (Childrens' Council) having a discussion at the ICDS children center at Bhorasa village.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with children and liberated manual scavenger women at the ICDS children center at Bhorasa village.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Meeting with children and liberated manual scavenger women outside the ICDS children center at Bhorasa village.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas Training Centre at Sonkatch where production of MyNutrmix is being prepared which is provided to MAM (Moderately Accute Malnurished) children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas Training Centre at Sonkatch where production of MyNutrmix is being prepared which is provided to MAM (Moderately Accute Malnurished) children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas Training Centre at Sonkatch where production of MyNutrmix is being prepared which is provided to MAM (Moderately Accute Malnurished) children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas Training Centre at Sonkatch where production of MyNutrmix is being prepared which is provided to MAM (Moderately Accute Malnurished) children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas Training Centre at Sonkatch where production of MyNutrmix is being prepared which is provided to MAM (Moderately Accute Malnurished) children.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Charmandi Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are made here.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Charmandi Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are made here.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Charmandi Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are made here.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Charmandi Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are made here.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are stitched here and sold.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are stitched here and sold.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are stitched here and sold.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Garment Unit set up with training and financial support from Jan Sahas to liberated manual scavenger women for their rehabilitation and livelihood. Bags, cloth folders, children dress and other items are stitched here and sold.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC) run by the Government. Jan Sahas contributes to this. Malnourished children with their mothers discuss with nutrition specialists.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Community meeting organized by Jan Sahas on WASH and nutrition held under a tree at Jamli.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.

Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC) run by the Government. Jan Sahas contributes to this. Malnourished children with their mothers discuss with nutrition specialists.

Jan Sahas is a social and community based organization that is committed to protection of
human rights and development of socially excluded communities through abolishing the all
kind of slavery, social exclusion, atrocities and all forms of discrimination based on
caste, class and gender.